Celebrations of Lancaster University’s 50th anniversary coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Robbins report into higher education. That report was significant in augmenting the expansion of the higher education sector in the UK, of which universities like Lancaster were part.

Things have changed dramatically since then, and one of the key changes is the role of students not only as learners but as potentially fully engaged co-producers of education. The launch of the National Union of Students’ Manifesto for Partnership, and the inclusion of student representatives at all levels of decision-making in higher education, including with HEFCE and the QAA are also developments to celebrate. But there are numerous perspectives on where these developments should lead, and challenges will no doubt be encountered.

This one-day symposium therefore addresses some of the key issues around student engagement and partnership as it celebrates Lancaster University’s 50 years. Members of the Department Of Educational Research’s Higher Education Research and Evaluation Centre (here@lancaster) as well as Ph.D. alumni and current doctoral students will present keynotes and lead workshops addressing different facets of this issue.

The symposium website is available at: http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/edres/event/4778/